A Marital Therapy Manual

Abstract

Am J Psychiatry 134:3, March 1977 337 bringing the knowledge of Chinese acupuncture up to date and consequently are justified in continuing to use the subtitle Current Chinese Practice. The book is written in a precise, thorough, and yet concise manner, using modern scientific language. When Chinese words are used the transliteration is accurate. The effective organization of the text remains intact for easy learning and quick reference. The book is divided into five main sections: 1) The Essentials of Acupuncture, 2) Most Commonly Used Acupuncture Points, 3) Less Commonly Used Acupuncture Points, 4) Diseases and Symptoms Amenable to Acupuncture Therapy, and 5) Acupuncture-Anesthesia. The new third section completes the listing (with meridian names) of all currently accepted acupuncture points and their usage. The fifth section has been substantially enlarged to reflect the most recent refinements in acupuncture-anesthesia. Furthermore, it contains a list of points (including ear and nose points) for virtually all surgical operations. The precise locations of all acupuncture points are described in scientific terms with ample anatomical illustrations. Each of the 62 diseases and symptoms listed is followed by the main and supplemental acupuncture points and whether maxibustion is indicated. The techniques of inserting the needle are accurately described. The legal developments concerning the teaching and practice of this treatment modality are succinctly summarized. Finally, there are two indexes-one listing the most commonly used acupuncture points and another listing diseases and symptoms. These provide an excellent cross-reference to the main text. As in the third section, the addition of the meridian numbers to the index of most commonly used acupuncture points constitutes a substantial improvement because those who are not familiar with the Chinese terminology may refer to these numbers to find details of the acupuncture points in the third, fourth, and fifth sections. This book brings to English-speaking physicians and scientists in the health professions an authentic, accurate, clean, and succinct summary of acupuncture therapy as practiced in the People’s Republic ofChina today. It is useful for keeping up with the essential and latest knowledge in acupunctune as well as for research and clinical practice. I believe it should be in the library of all medically related institutions, larger public libraries, and the personal libraries of those who are interested in this “subspecialty” of medicine.